Geography at Manshead provides awe and wonder at the world at a local, regional and global scale. We want our learners to be inspired, curious and be fascinated about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We want to give our learners an attitude to go out and see for yourself, rather than be told by others.

Geography is exciting, up to date and a relevant subject to study. Teaching equips our students with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

As students’ progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

All students will be able to:

• Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places, including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes.
• Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time.
• Are competent in geographical skills, such as analysis and communicate with a range of data, interpret a range of sources of geographical information and communicate geographical information in a variety of ways.

In Geography we provide an engaging learning environment for students where they are able to display their ability and be stretched and challenged. Students learn and practice skills such as knowledge, understanding, application, interpretation, analysing, evaluating and making judgments. This leads our students to deep and critical thinking which is applied to physical, human and environmental geography.

Our Geography education encourages pupils to explore how places have been changed by the contexts and processes that have shaped them. It helps them to understand the complex ways in which communities and societies are linked and to appreciate the diversity of people’s backgrounds. Geography also helps pupils to understand society better. Appreciating diversity encourages positive relationships and shared values. It promotes tolerance and partnership, within local and wider communities.

Within our lessons we use a wide range of different media such as interactive ICT lessons, decision making activities as well as using videos and documentaries to teach pupils about the fascinating world we live in. We regularly use newspaper articles and clips from news broadcasts to ensure pupils have a current and engaging Geography curriculum. Our students are allowed opportunities to demonstrate their learning and to use a range of teacher, peer and self-assessment. The schemes of work will promote both continuity and progression. Geography lessons are planned for inclusion of all students. Tasks and materials are differentiated to allow this to happen.

KS3:

• Locational Knowledge - Deepen our student’s awareness of the world’s countries to focus on India and the Middle East.

• Place Knowledge Students can understand geographical similarities, differences and links between places.

• Human and Physical Geography Students can understanding the key processes in physical geography, human geography and understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes, environments and the climate.

• Geographical Skills and Fieldwork Students will build on their knowledge of globes, maps and atlases, interpret Ordnance Survey maps, use Geographical Information Systems and collect fieldwork to analyse and draw conclusions.

GCSE:

Students study a balanced framework of physical and human themes and investigate the link between them. Students will explore case studies in the UK, higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs). Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.

A Level:

Students study an issues-based approach, enabling them to explore and evaluate contemporary geographical questions and issues such as the consequence of globalisation, responses to hazards, water insecurity and climate change. Students have the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of physical and human geography, the complexity of people and environment questions and issues, and to become critical, reflective and independent learners.

• Geography in the News Enrichment Homework – This has been created to encourage students to read more widely, examining synoptic links and keep up to date with geography-related news.
• Fieldwork – Students have several opportunities to take part in on-site fieldwork, assessing their environment around Manshead CE Academy as well as compulsory GCSE fieldwork where the students measure how longshore drift is being managed by hard engineering at Walton on the Naze and assessing how housing changes across a transect in Downside. A Level students complete a 4 day residential with the Field Studies Council in preparation for their NEA.
• Lunchtime Geography Club – Opportunities to complete homework, and find current geography news articles.
• TEAMS – Students have access to the department’s PowerPoints and Knowledge Organisers on the classes TEAMS account as well as all homework being regular assigned on Arbor giving parents the opportunity to support their children in their education.
• GCSE Revision – Lunchtime and after school sessions to go over content and practice exam papers in preparation for their GCSE exams.